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April was Distracted Driving Month, which got us wondering, are people distracted by their driving phobias? So we polled our Facebook community to learn more about what exactly gives them the behind-the-wheel heebie-jeebies. Here’s what they said shakes them up:

27% Driving on mountain roads without guard rails

27% Driving in bad weather (ice, snow, and rain)

20% Driving near large trucks

4% Becoming unable to drive

4% Driving over bridges

3% Driving near intoxicated drivers

1% Veering off the road (uncontrollably)

1% Fearing that the hood latch would suddenly release

If any of these driving anxieties sound familiar, here are some tips for staying calm on the road (no matter what happens):

Consider taking driving lessons, even if you’re a pro.

A good instructor can guide you through driving situations that make you feel uncomfortable and help you bolster your confidence. As an added bonus, some insurance companies (like yours truly) offer a discount for taking a defensive driving course. See discounts in your state.

Driving with a reasonable level of caution will help you stay out of harm’s way and effectively steer clear of unnecessary anxiety.

Understand bad weather basics.

If black ice and winter storms make you especially tense, brush up on storm driving techniques (our blog is loaded with winter driving tips!). It’s also a good idea to refresh yourself on what to do if you’re caught hydroplaning.

Pull over and breathe.

If you tend to get freaked out behind the wheel every once in a while, we hope these tips will help you enjoy the drive. And for the 13 percent who said you “ain’t scared!” of anything, hats off to you, you brazen road warriors!

How do you overcome your driving anxiety? Send us a tweet or post on our wall to share your tips.

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about Shannon

During her 4-year tenure at Esurance, Shannon was our go-to expert for all things social media related. She was also the founder, president, and CEO of the Esurance Cheese Club. A New Jersy transplant, she’s an avid road tripper and food nerd.